Although under pressure to do so, Dr. Catherine DeAngelis, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) wrote in an editorial that medical journals cannot ban researchers from having research papers published that do not disclose commercial ties to pharmaceutical companies -- for fear of antitrust lawsuits. DeAngelis also stated that, "rooting out conflicts of interest is nearly impossible given that for-profit companies often provide the funding to discover, test and market advances in medicine."What does potential conflicts of interest and lack of required disclosure mean for the public? That scientific research reports on research into new drugs and various treatments for disease is, and will remain, open to suspicion as to the scientific integrity of research, if it is not transparent in who is writing the check to have the study done. Even DeAngelis admits that honest disclosure of financial support for researchers is essential information for the public. This is a serious issue that needs to be resolved in a better way than is currently being suggested -- public confidence and health depend on it.
1. For the past two years I have had the wonderful experience of participating in the Scientist-Survivor Program sponsored by the American Association of Cancer Research (www.aacr.org). As a patient diagnosed in 1999 with a challenging case of advanced prostate cancer and now doing quite well, I have had a keen interest in research, including the basic scientific and early clinical research that is the prime focus of the AACR.
I found it interesting and reassuring that all the presenters at the AACR conventions are required to state their financial relationships that pertain to their research. That information is given at the beginning of their presentations, and it is also published in convention documents such as the Proceedings Supplement; it is available at the AACR's website.
I have also attended and participated in FDA hearings regarding cancer drugs, and the FDA also requires that researchers who make presentations announce their financial relationships.
This information is a definite help to us as we make decisions. A recent example is research indicating that pomegranate juice is beneficial to prostate cancer patients with recurrent cancer, and it's not just a small benefit; simply put, the PSA rate of increase slows down a lot. The research was performed by members of a UCLA group that is well-known and highly respected for its research on nutritional agents and health, particularly involving cancer. The report disclosed that funding for the study came from a trust funded by the owners of the POM Wonderful company, which makes pomegranate juice. I'm grateful they are funding this kind of research. On the other hand, I'm looking for independent confirmation of the findings.
I added pomegranate juice to my diet about a year ago, based on earlier information along the same line. You can call that approach "trust but verify."
Jim (web site: http://www.mycancerplace.com/profile.php?id=147 )
Posted at 12:30PM on Aug 9th 2006 by Jim